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THE 

NEW YORK AND HONDURAS 

C O ]VI I* ^ jST Y. 
Incorporated Under the Laws of Connecticut. 

Capital, $100,000. 4,000 Shares at $25 each. 



OEGANIZATION: 



President- RODERICO TOLEDO. 

Recorder and General Manager— - - "WILLIAM B. SIPES. 
Secretary- - HOBART L. HOTCHKLSS. 



OFFICE: -Eo. 71 BEOADWAY, (EOOM 128,) 
NEW YORK. 



Nkw Yohk: 

JBKADLE &. BKOUN, STATIONERS, 55 EXCHANGE PLACE. 

1879. 






58247 




^^^Tofcois^ 




INTRODUCTORY. 



In presenting" to public attention ' ' The New York and Honduras 
Company, " it is proper tliat some explanations be offered of tlie char- 
acter and advantages of the Concession gi-anted it by the Eepublic of 
Honduras, as well as of the business ready for immediate, and, it is 
believed, profitable prosecution. 

The territory embraced in the Concession to the company has a 
frontage on the Carribean Sea of about 50 miles, and extends inland, 
as stated, 45 miles, making an area of some 2,250 square miles, or 
1,440,000 acres. In extent it is something larger than the State of 
Delaware. Very little of this territory is valueless, much the larger 
proportion of it being covered by primeval forests; and all authorities 
agree in stating thait these forests of Northern Honduras are among 
the most valuable in the world. Other portions of it are alluvial 
plains, among which may particularly be specified the great Plain of 
Sula, lying at the mouth of the Ulua River. Three centuries ago, 
under the Spanish dominion, this plain was celebrated for its fertil- 
ity, and was then, and for many years later, the seat of vast estates, 
covered with herds of cattle; but the inroads of buccaneers and the 
ravages of foreign and internecine wars relegated it to a condition of 
nature, and it thus remains, awaiting only the touch of industry and 
enterprise to bloom again among the gardens of the earth. 

The timber growth of the region conceded to the company consists 
of m-ahogany, rosewood, logwood, cedar, fustic, Brazilwood, lignum- 
vitse, and other varieties comparatively unknown in the markets of the 



North, but which in time must become marketable. All the varieties 
named are in constant demaad in the United States and in Europe. 
It may safely be asserted that the present supply of these woods is 
by no means equal to the requirements of trade, and that all that 
can be procured from the forests of Honduras will meet with ready 
sale. In the article of mahogany alone the demand in Europe is in- 
satiable, and the day is by no means remote when the same will prob- 
ably be the case in the United States. 

This region also produces sarsaparilla, India-rubber, vanilla,, rhu- 
barb, calisaya bark, and tropical fruits, such as bananas, cocoanuts, 
palm nuts, oranges, lemons, etc. Sarsaparilla is extremely abundant 
and of the finest quality; while the production of the other articles 
enumerated may be increased to any extent at comparatively small 
cost. Bananas can be grown in the region under consideration to 
greater advantage, probably, than anywhere else on the Western Hemi- 
sphere, and there is no fruit, tropical or temperate, that yields bet- 
ter returns.* The cultivation of tobacco and sugar has also been 
successfully introduced. 

Honduras is the great cattle-growing country of Central ximerica. 
For many years its herds have been a chief source of supply for the 
adjacent Republics, and thousands of head are annually exported to 
the West India Islands. The breed of cattle is good, and both soil 
and climate are pronounced perfect for herding. 

Honduras cattle are preferred to all others in the Island of Cuba, 
(which imports over 50,000 head a year from all sources), because the 
similarity of grasses and climate makes them easily fatted, while stock 
imported from the United States pine and sicken when turned out 

*Duriug the year ending June 30th, 1866, there were entered for consumption in 
the United States 88.3,590 pounds of sarsaparilla; logwood valued at $1,166,847; 
fustic valued at $176,989; India-rubber valued at $4, 043, 067 ; rosewood valued at 
$161,826; mahogany valued at $94,738; cedar valued at $146,870, and cinchona 
barks valued at $1,102,203. The total importations of foreign fruits and nuts for 
the same period amounted to $11,912,240. These values have since increased, 
but later figures are not immediately accessible. With a revival of manufactures, 
the consumption of most of the articles enumerated will necessarily be largely 
increased. 



upon the Island. As the company will be prepared to offer very su- 
perior inducements for the establishment of cattle ranches, as well as 
advantages for shipment, it is confidently anticipated that this indus- 
try will assume prominence and importance on its territory. 

The river navigation privileges of the company are so plainly set 
forth in the Concession itself, that but little in addition need be said. 
The Ulua River is one of the largest in Central America, and is nav- 
igable for boats of hght draft — say 4 to 6 feet — for a hundred miles 
from its mouth. The Tinto and Blanco are navigable branches of the 
Ulua, and this system of rivers spreads over an immense area, excep- 
tionally rich in the natural products of this richest of all American 
semi-tropical lands. The control of these rivers presents a field for 
an internal trade of vast extent and value, all of which can be devel- 
oped with a small outlay of capital. 

The obligations imposed upon the company, and the privileges 
granted it for ocea,n commerce, are also fully set forth in the Decree 
of Concession. The development of business on the North coast of 
Central America requires regular steam communication, and steam- 
ers of the proper kind engaged in this trade cannot fail to prove 
profitable. Honduras now imports about a million dollars' worth of 
goods a year, and it is scarcely hazarding too much to say that, un- 
der the commercial privileges decreed " The New York and Hondu- 
ras Company," a large, if not the larger, proportion of this import 
trade can soon be done through the ports of the North and the 
rivers flowing into them. The time by steamer between New Orleans 
and these ports of Honduras is about three days, and bananas can 
be (have been, in fact) delivered in St. Louis and Chicago in seven 
days from the Bay Islands, while it requires nine days for the same 
fruit to reach New York, by steamer, from the nearest source of sup- 
ply. The possibilities of a business possessing such advantages, and 
which can, under the provisions of the Concession, be virtually con- 
trolled by this company, need only be suggested to be appreciated 
by intelligent Americans. 

The climate of Honduras is not unhealthy. Yellow fever and 



6 

cholera have never been known to prevail there. Ordinary precau- 
tions as to night exposure and diet are sufficient to guard the north- 
ern immigrant from the malarial diseases common to all warm climates. 
The mountains, as a rule, tend toward the sea, terminating in some 
places very near the coast, and opening well-watered valleys inland, 
thus increasing not only the salubrity but the picturesqueness of the 
region, and rendering it the more inviting. In brief, it may be sum- 
marized as the judgment of all famUiar with the Republic, that 
for wealth of natural products, richness of soil, equabihty and health- 
fulness of climate, and capacity to produce, under cultivation, most of 
the requirements of modern civilized life, Honduras has but few ri- 
vals among the nations of the earth. In addition to these natural 
benefits, the Government of the Republic is liberal, stable and thor- 
oughly devoted to a pohcy of national development, which embraces 
the advancement of all branches of industry, the establishment of en- 
lightened institutions, and the encouragement of worthy and indus- 
trious settlers. A country presenting such advantages certainly af- 
fords an inviting field for properly directed enterprise and capital. 
In this connection, particular attention is invited to the letter herein 
of Mr. "VVetzlar, one of the most prominent merchants of Philadelphia, 
who visited Honduras, during the last two months of 1878, for the 
purpose of investigating the property, privileges and prospects of this 
Company. 

A limited number of the shares of the capital stock of " The New 
York and Honduras Company" are offered for sale; and the officers 
of the company will be pleased to confer with persons who may de- 
sire to embark in any of the branches of business embraced within 
the scope of its operations. 



ARTICLES OP ASSOCIATION 



NEW YORK AND HONDURAS COMPANY. 



Be it known that we, the subscribers, do hereby associate our- 
selves as a body politic and corporate, pursuant to the provisions of 
the statute laws of the State of Connecticut regulating the formation 
and organization of joint stock corporations; and the following are 
the Articles of our Association and Agreement : 

AETICLE I. 

The name of said corporation shall be The New York and Hondu- 

BAS Company. 

AETICLE II. 

The capital stock of said corporation shall be one hundred thousand 
dollars, and the said capital stock shall be divided into four thous- 
and shares of twenty-five dollars each share. 

AETICLE III. 

The said corporation is formed and established for the purpose of 
purchasing and acquiring by deed, lease, grant, concession or other- 
wise, lands and real estate situated in the Eepublic of Honduras, to 
wit: the public free lands belonging to the national government, 
lying between the ports of Puerto Cortes and Puerto Tela, extending 
inland by measurement forty-five (45) miles from the coast, as 
designated in a certain concession from said Eepublic, dated at 
Tegucigalpa, March 31st, 1878,* and any other lands found neces- 
sary, in said Eepublic, and all other rights, franchises and privileges 
* Decree subsequently amended and redated November 25th, 1878. 



specified in said coBcession; and holding, settling, cultivating, im- 
proving, leasing, selling, conveying and transferring the same; and 
establishing thereon agricultural and industrial enterprises, planta- 
tions, settlements, roads, bridges and cattle farms; and acquiring by 
grant or concession from the government of said Repiiblic, or by 
purchase, or otherwise, rights, franchises or privileges in respect of 
the navigation of the waters, lakes and rivers of said Republic; and 
in respect of the building of bridges, wharves, piers, quays and light- 
houses, and receiving tolls therefor; and for exporting and disposing 
of the natural, agricultural and industrial products of said Republic 
of Honduras; and importing for use and sale therein agricultural 
and industrial tools and implements and general merchandise; and 
for the purpose of building for the use of said corporation, equipping, 
furnishing, fitting, ' navigating, owning and chartering steam, sail 
or other boats, ships or vessels to be used in lawful commerce, 
trade or navigation upon the ocean and seas and upon the lakes 
and rivers of said Republic, and for the carriage, transportation and 
storing of lading, freight, mails, property or passengers upon the 
ocean and seas and on such lakes and rivers; and in general to carry 
on the business of exporting and importing merchandise and other 
property between the Republic of Honduras and the United States 
of America and other countries; and to buy, sell, own and deal in 
any real or personal property necessary or convenient for the pro- 
motion of said business, and generally to do all things incidental to 
said business and to the proper management thereof. 

ARTICLE IV. 

The statute laws of the State of Connecticut relating to joint stock 
corporations are hereby particularly referred to and made part of 
these articles; and the corporation hereby organized and established, 
under and pursuant to said statute laws, shall have the powers and 
proceed according to the regulations prescribed and specified 
therein. 

ARTICLE V. 

Each subscriber to these articles agrees to take the number of 
shares annexed to his name of the capital stock of said corpora- 
tion; each share to be twenty-five dollars, as aforesaid, and to be paid 
for by installments, as the Directors shall call in the same. 

Dated at New Haven, this 29th day of October, 1878. 



DECREE OF CONCESSION 



J 



General Department of the Constitutional) 

Government of the RejDublic, >- 

Tegucigalpa, November 25th, 1878. ) 

The memorial which E-oderico Toledo has forwarded for the con- 
sideration of the Government having been presented to me, with the 
object of making- known that the company entitled, " The New York 
and Honduras Co.," is disposed to undertake agricultural works on 
a tract of land on the nortern coast of this Republic; to develop its 
natural wealth: to establish a line of steamers, which, calling at all 
the ports bordering the said tract, may do, on an extensive scale, the 
commerce of exportation of the natural and agricultural products of 
the country, and also the commerce of importation of foreign mer- 
chandise: to make effective, with its vessels, the navigation of the 
principal rivers which empty into the Northern Sea; and to bring 
immigrants, who, by their laborious and industrious habits, may con- 
tribute efficaciously to the beneficial development of the natural 
wealth so abundant on the northern coast, and to the progress of the 
industry and agriculture of the Republic. 

Considering that the admission of the several principal offers which 
the said memorial contains, and that the agreement of some of the 
asked for concessions, made in terms of mutual reciprocity, so far as 
the interests of the country and of the company are concerned, must 
all be admitted as acceptable to the development of the commercial 
resources of the country, to establish river and maritime commimica- 
tion, and to make way for the many fountains of wealth which are 
not now made use of, and are untouched for want of working enter- 
prise, of capital, of population, and of means of conveyance; and 
considering, that to procure, in the country, through just and 



10 

prompt concessions, the establishment and development of those ele- 
ments of vital importance v^^hich will jDut a stop to all drawbacks, and 
consequently open a bright future, is one of the principal duties of 
the Government; the President, in virtue of such, decrees: 

ARTICLE I. 

In all the lands belonging to the Government, lying between the 
ports of Pto. Cortez and Pto. de Tela, and which actually may not be 
occupied in virtue of a contract or of especial concession, and in 
extent measuring from the coast to the interior forty-five miles, it is 
granted to "The New York and Honduras Co.," for the period of 
twenty-five years, commencing to run from this date, the right to es- 
tablish plantations, pasturages, and, in general, any agricultural or 
industrial enterprises. The fields of the national lands, which at the 
expiration of the time granted by this concession may be formally 
cultivated, or may be the seat of an industrial enterprise, vrill become 
the property of the company; but this is only to be understood in the 
tract of land occupied by the enterprise. 

ARTICLE n. 

The company will have the right to work in the designated land, 
and during the stated time, industriously, or for export, any of the 
prime products which said lands contain. 

ARTICLE in. 

The company will paj' to the State for the natural products, as 
well as for the agricultural or industrial ones which they may exjDort, 
the duties now existing, or that may hereafter be decreed by fiscal 
laws. 

ARTICLE IV. 

The company is exempted fi'om all duties on material imported to 
be employed in the construction of wooden houses, wharves, bridges 
and canals, and also on machinery, tools and provisions to be exclu- 
sively employed in the service or sustenance of the agi'icultural or 
industrial enterprises which may be established. 



11 

ARTICLE V. 

The company is bound to establish, within the period of one year, 
commencing to run from the 1st of January next, 1879, a steamer of 
at least four hundred tons, having for its object a regular service be- 
tween New Orleans or New York and the ports of Truxillo, Pto, 
Cortez, and the Bay Islands, or any other ports of the northern coast 
which the company may deem convenient. 

ARTICLE VI. 

The arrival, as well as the departure of the steamer, at and from 
the said ports, will be determined by an itinerary, fixed by the com- 
paaiy and approved by the Government. 

ARTICLE VIT. 

The steamer of the company will convey gratis the mails. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

The steamer is bound to convey gratis the agents or employees 
of the State bringing or conveying official commission. 

ARTICLE IX. 

The steamer is bound to convey every year, and for half the rate of 
passage established, one hundred immigrants' families, in the steerage, 
whose migration to the country may be promoted, arranged or con- 
tracted for by the Government. 

ARTICLE X. 

The steamer must also transport, for half the current rate of 
freight, the foreign objects destined for the use of the Government, 
or those which the same may desire to ship to the foreign fports at 
which the steamer calls. 



12 
AKTICLE XI. 

All steamers wliicli the company may add, to increase its com- 
merce, will be under the same regulations, established by the com- 
pany with the approval of the Government, for the service of the 
first steamer, and will have the same obligations with respect to the 
State. 

AETICLE XII. 

The products of the country which may be exported in the 
steamers and sailing vessels of the company will pay j^//!y per cen^. 
less than the duties now existing, or which may hereafter be estab- 
lished, for the exportation of said products. In the same manner, 
there is granted to all sailing vessels and steamers of the said com- 
pany a rebate of ten i^er cent, on all merchandise which they may 
bring to the country by the ports of the North.* 

ARTICLE Xin. 

For the same time of six years it is granted to all steamers or 
sailing vessels of the company an exemption from the port duties 
now established, or which may be hereafter established, 

AETICLE XrV. 

The free use of the port of Tela, or any other port which, in its 
place, may be designated by the company, within the limits of the tract 
of land designated in Article I, is granted to the company for the 
purpose of carrying on the exportation of fruits and natural products, 
and the importation of foreign merchandise. 

ARTICLE XV. 

The Government will establish a Custom House office at port of 
Tela, or whatever port may be selected in its place, to keep an ac- 
count of the duties of importation and exportation that may be due 
by the company to the Government, said duties to be paid at Tegu- 
cigalpa into the public treasury. 

* These rebates on duties are granted for a term of six (6) years. 



13 

ARTICLE XVI. 

The company will have the right to charge wharfage, light-house 
dues, storage and river navigation freight, which they may establish. 
The payment of these dues and charges will be according to tariffs, 
which, to be valid, must be approved by the Government. 

ARTICLE XVII. 

During a period of ten years, which will commence to run from 
the 1st of January, 1879, the right is granted to the company of nav- 
igating, by all crafts, steamers or vessels, the rivers "Ulua," "Tinto," 
"Blanco," and Lake Yojoa, the company not having to pay any tax 
or duty whatever for said navigation. After one year's establish- 
ment of the navigation of the mentioned river or rivers to the satis- 
faction of the public and the Grovernment, the company will enjoy 
the exclusive privilege and right of navigation of the said waters. 

ARTICLE XVIII. 

The company binds itself to estabhsh at port of Tela, or any other 
which may be designated by the company as a centre of its opera- 
tions, a small village or colony, to which effect the company guaran- 
tees the immediate building of at least fifty habitations for workmen 
and their families. These workmen will be instructed, according to 
the modern system, in the different labors which may be undertaken, 
and will have at their head a body of intelligent Americans. 

ARTICLE XIX. 

The company will estabhsh at the port of Tela, or any other desig- 
nated port, a post-office, with all its necessary utensils. This office 
to be conducted by an employe of the Government. 

ARTICLE XX. 

The company will grant to the Government the free passage of its 
official telegrams over all the telegrapliic lines which they may erect, 
and at the expiration of the twenty-five years these fines will become 
the property of the Government. 



14 

ARTICLE XXI. 

" The New York and Honduras Company " having been duly 
organized in the United St.ites of America, the place of its residence, 
the Government of Honduras officially recognizes the lawful exist- 
ence of the said compan}^ 

ARTICLE XXII. 

The Government will protect the companj^, and in order that this 
may be effective, the same will give all possible facilities within the 
limit of its administrative powers. 

ARTICLE XXIII. 

All the grants made to the company will be annulled, if, within the 
term of one year, commencing to run from the 1st of January next, 
1879, the said company may not have begun to comply with its obli- 
gations, undertaken its .works, and placed on pubhc service the 
steamer between New Orleans or New York and the ports of the 
northern coast. 

Let this be known and registered. 

Signed by the President, ROSA. 



15 



LETTER OF MR. EDWARD P. WETZLAR. 



Philadelphia, Feb. lltli, 1879. 
Deae Sir : 

Your communication- requesting me to favor you with an account 
of the result of my visit to Honduras, and particularly as regards the 
resources and probable results of improving and opening a certain 
tract of land situated on the northern coast, I have received, and my 
delay in answering same has been caused by business matters which 
engrossed my immediate- attention. 

As you know, I entered Honduras by Amapala, and from that 
point started on my journey to the Port of Cortez via Tegucigalpa. 

The roads until we reached the mountain districts were in the most 
vile condition and hardly passable; after striking the mountain regions 
the traveling was novel and of a kind that I had never indulged in 
before, still it was not by half so arduous or disagreeable as when we 
were on what was called the Plain, and which, as far as my judg- 
ment goes, was little better than marshes. As this is the route by 
which nearly all the imports are carried for distribution to the inte- 
rior, I paid considerable attention to it, as I desired to compare it 
with a probable route to the interior from the northern coast, and to 
find out which side of the country it would be to the advantage of 
the merchants to receive their supplies from Europe and the United 
States; and later on in my letter I will give you the conclusion I ar- 
rived at, and- the reasons therefor. 

The natives that I met on my way toward the Capital I found to 
be honest and docile, but ignorant and inclined to laziness, both of 
which defects I think time and the future development of the coun- 
try will cure. The past unsettled and revolutionary condition of the 
country has to a great extent prevented the present population from 
being industrious and ambitious to gain comforts by labor ; but with 
a stable and popular government, (which I am assured Honduras 
now has), it is my impression that within the next decade a marked 
improvement will be found in the condition and habits of the native 
population, and, indeed, already many have begun to give their at- 
tention to cultivating indigo, etc., to sell for exportation, as also 
coffee. Samples that I saw showed the articles, even raised as they 



16 

were, and under their own crude implements for curing, etc., to be of 
the finest quality. I have enlarged on this subject, as it ajjplies to the 
country from coast to coast, as the habits and conditions of the in- 
habitants are the same. 

During my stay at Tegucigalpa I had numerous interviews with 
the President, Senor Soto, and found him to be a gentleman of ad- 
vanced ideas, and most willing and wishful to do everything within 
the limits of his power (which is almost unlimited) to aid and as- 
sist any enterprise, that might either be under way or in prospect, for 
the purpose of improving or developing the country ; and he seems 
to be especially indulgent in his grants, etc., to foreigners, as he evi- 
dently sees that it must be by their capital and enterprise that the 
lands and natural resources of the country will be most speedily 
and surely developed, and I feel certain that any individual or cor- 
poration that might have operations there would have the fuU moral 
and civil (and even, if necessary, the armed) support of the Grovern- 
ment. 

After sojourning at Tegucigalpa for ten days, I continued my jour- 
ney, and arrived at San Pedro del Sula on the ninth day, and from 
which place I took the railroad to Cortez. 

I will now endeavor to inform you, as far as I am able, of the dif- 
ferent articles that abound on the north coast, and particularly on 
the tract of land you mention (between Cortez and Tela). On said 
lands there are large quantities of fine quality cedar, as also mahog- 
any, sarsaparilla, fustic, the India-rubber tree, etc., besides other 
woods suitable for cabinet manufacture, some of them most beauti- 
ful and I think valuable. 

The person who had been instructed to pilot me through the woods, 
and also to place at my service all the information that he could af- 
ford, and whom I found most truthful and reliable in all his statements, 
informed me that a short time before meeting me, his foreman (he 
himself having in chai'ge the cutting of timber, etc. , for sundry par- 
ties) had told him that he had discovered a forest which contained 
considerable quantities of lima wood (which, as you are aware, is one 
of the most valuable dye woods extant), but unfortunately I was not 
able to examine it myself, as it was the rainy season, and the spot 
the wood was in was at that time almost an impossibility to be got 
at; but he informed me that in about a couple of months' time there 
would not be the slightest difticulty in examining or in cutting the 
wood. From his description this forest was about 10 miles from the 



17 

coast, close to a river, and transportation to a shipping point could be 
easily effected. 

If his foreman's discovery is a fact, it would prove a most valuable 
working to any one who undertakes the cutting. The fustic is of very 
fine quality, in abundance, and comparatively easy to get at and be 
moved. The mahogany of Honduras is so well known that it would 
be useless for me to express any opinion about it. The same applies 
to the sarsaparilla and rubber. Also growing there is the Quina 
(quinine) tree in two or three different classes, but whether it is of 
tine quahty or not I cannot say, not being acquainted with the arti- 
cle, and unfortunately some samples of the bark that I was bringing 
home to be tested were lost on the homeward trip. Should this bark 
prove to be the required article, I think it would be one of the most 
valuable growths of Honduras. 

The country abounds in natural pasturage lands, and the cattle are 
large and fine, and considerable has been made out of their export. 
With proper ranches and conveniences for shipment, a large and I 
think profitable business could be carried on in shipping to the adja- 
cent West India Islands, where good cattle always find a ready market 

After leaving the main land, I chartered a small schooner and went 
along the coast towards the Bay Islands. From thence I took pas- 
sage on the steamer Ward, which trades between- New Orleans 
and Honduras, and, from what I could learn, with much profit. 
Whilst visiting the islands, and the various points along the 
coast at which the steamer stopped, I had a most happy opportu- 
nity of finding out all particulars in relation to the fruit trade. The 
islands of Ruatan and Utilla, the two principal ones of the group, 
are situated a few hours' sail from the main land, and from their con- 
stant intercourse with foreign traders after the fruits, show more 
signs of advancement than any other portions of Honduras that I 
visited. The fruits raised are the plantain, banana and cocoanut, and, 
although of good quality, cannot compare with the like fruits raised 
all along the main land, which is studded with small colonies of fruit- 
raisers, who, if they were sure of always finding a purchaser for their 
products, could easily be induced to sell to but that party or par- 
ties or trade their fruit for supj)lies that they might need. At present 
the figures paid are 25 to 37 cents per bunch for plantains and bananas, 
and |17 to $20 per thousand for cocoanuts. The manner of collect- 
ing the fruit for shipment might be much improved upon at a con- 
siderable saving of labor and expense. The amount of fruit 



18 

purchased for shipping purposes, as far as I could learn, was about 
$300,000 per annum. This trade could, with proper management, 
be increased 50 per cent, in a year, without doubt. 

The soil of Honduras, without exception, is the richest that I ever saw, 
and the major part of it is virgin. All through the country one can see 
small plantings of coffee, sugar, rice, corn and beans, but through 
the want of enterprise and capital not more than sufficient to supply 
the actual home wants are raised. The soil and climate, for the pur- 
pose of growing the above articles, compare more than favorably with 
any of the Southern or West Indian islands I have visited. The cli- 
mate and soil, within a short distance of the coast, is well adapted for 
the raising of cotton. Tobacco is raised in considerable quantities 
in the interior, and some of it is of excellent quality. 

Transportation in the country is entirely carried on by mules, 
which, to say the least, is tedious and most expensive. 

In regard to the most advantageous side of the country to import sup - 
plies for the interior — taking the city of Comayagua as a base: Mer- 
chandise imported via Aspinwall and Amapala from New York, the 
freight would stand the importer $5 to $6 per 100 pounds ; and the time 
occupied, saying that the transportation was continuous, would be 
about twenty-four days ; whilst by the northern coast I do not think it 
would be over $3.50 to $4 at the highest. The most favorable route, 
I think, would be, say, from New York to Puerto Cortez ; from there 
by rail to Pementa (72 miles), up the Elvers Ulua and Blanco (12 
miles) to Imprenta, and from there' by mules ; and the time occupied 
in the entire journey should not be over thirteen days. From this 
reasoning I came to the conclusion that on the northern coast viust 
eventually be the great supply ports for Honduras. Two matters would 
have to be attended to before this route could be carried on: 
the railroad would have to be in good running order, and crafts 
suitable for navigating the river placed there. From conversations 
that I held with the merchants of Tegucigalpa and Comayagua, the two 
principal interior cities, they would not only like to see the northern 
coast made a basis of supplies, but would give their immediate aid to 
the enterprise to whoever might undertake it. 

I think I have now touched upon all the points that your letters 
asked information about. Should there be anything else upon which 
I can afford you information, on the same matter, I shall be 
pleased to do so, and shall now close this rather long letter by re- 



19 

marking that, with a fair outlay of capital and good management, I 
know of nowhere else that shows a more magnificent prospect for 
profitable returns — as Honduras is a country abounding in every- 
thing that nature can svipply, and is almost in an entire undevel- 
oped condition. 

I remain respectfully yours, 

EDWAED P. WETZLAR. 
Wm. B. Sipes, Esq., New York. 



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LETTER OF DR. F. C. VALENTINE. 



Department of Medicine and Surgery, ) 

Army of the Republic of Honduras, V 

TeguciCxAlpa, Dec. 24th, 1878. ) 

Mr. W. B. Sipes, Ne.ir York, U. S. A. 

My Dear Sir : In answer to your esteemed favor of the 1st I would 
state: That during- the past year I have had careful observations 
made pertaining to everything which would serve to demonstrate the 
actual climatic influences to which the immigrant into this country 
would be exposed, and as a result can unhesitatingly testify to its 
salubrity and enjoyableness by persons who immigrate here from 
more northerly latitudes. Of course this does not apply to the almost 
uninhabited southeastern coast (thejiiost southern fifth of what we 
call the "north coast"), which from its marshy character naturally is 
decidedly malarious ; still, tio one thinks of condemning the United 
States entirely because of the malarial Mississippi Valley, which rel- 
atively occupies a larger district in the United States than does the 
above-mentioned territory in Honduras. Furthermore, I have found 
the malarial impregnation from the latter to be far more amenable to 
proper treatment than those which have fallen under my observation 
during eight years' residence in the Mississippi Valley. 

The geographical position of Honduras, associated with the fact 
that it is made up of a series of immense table-lands, which rise from 
a level of the sea to an average height of about 4, 200 feet, make it an 
easy matter for the resident here to select the character of climate in 



21 

wliicli he would live, except that the utmost extremes of temperature 
are unknown. The lowest thermometric observation made by myself 
was 55i° F., the highest 101° F., while the information I have ex- 
ceeds both of these slightly. The changes from one temperature to 
the other are very gradual; to obtain the two above extremes, obser- 
vations extending over an entire year are necessary. The diurnal 
fluctuation never approaches one-third of that which is common even 
in the city of New York, United States. It would be fair to assume 
an average temperature of 73° F. as prevailing. 

As to contagious and infectious diseases, the history of the country 
does not show an epidemic of cholera nor yellow fever, nor any of 
the other affections which exercise such devastating influences in other 
regions. Still, with the now increasing trade with all parts of the 
world, and consequent immigration, this Department is about to es- 
tablish such sanitary measures as will, when rigidly enforced, coupled 
with the naturally favorable situation of the country in this regard, 
be more efficacious than in other parts. 

The vegetable products of the country are those of the tropical, 
inter-tropical and temperate zones; those of the latter vieing in di- 
mensions and flavor with the fruits of California. The majority of 
those products classed as " garden fruits" can, Avith proper care, be 
caused to bear twice annually. It is impossible to state to what ex- 
tent the soil could be made productive by modern agricultural appli- 
ances and skill. An observation of the indigenous uncultivated 
fruits which present themselves nearly everywhere, evidences that 
such terrors as we now are informed of from Brazil can never occur 
in Honduras ; granting even an improbable sudden immigration of 
unproductive thousands, a plentiful suppl}^ of food would be always 
attainable. 

In mineral wealth the Republic of Honduras is unsurpassed, and 
nowhere else can greater or surer returns be secured by the judicious 
utilization of labor and capital. The statements of disinterested par- 
ties, such as mineralogists, geologists, mining engineers and practi- 
cal miners, bear me out in this, with the additional fact that the 
mines with which I am acquainted are admirably situated for the 
utilization of building material and motor power. The import- 
ance of these elements for the utilization of rich ores cannot be over- 
estimated. Undeniable evidence of these facts will shortly be pre- 



22 

sented to the public of the United States by Mr. J. J. Valentine, who 
is now on his way to your city. 

The natives are kindly disposed, and willing to learn when 
properly instructed and directed. They see in the for- 
eigner's skilled labor and investment not only a benefit to the 
country, in the utilization of the now almost wasted wealth, 
but as well an improvement in the condition of each indi- 
vidual. They are peculiarly apt, and wiU form a valuable sub- 
stratum for all kinds of industrial enterprises. The government 
has, by kind and just treatment, by ever advancing liberal and pro- 
gressive ideas, so secured the complete sympathy and confidence of 
the foreigners as well as natives, that there remains no doubt as to 
its permanency and the continuance of a policy which is already bear- 
ing its fruit. 

There would have been no occasion for this letter if you could have 
witnessed the First Annual Honduranian Exposition, which took 
place two months ago, and an attempt to make more than a mere 
mention of it would prove futile. The collections of precious woods, 
sent from all departments, showed an incalculable wealth, which only 
awaits gathering. Aside of aU the known kinds of hard, soft, light and 
heavy woods, there were numberless specimens of woods as yet un- 
known to trade and art, which for their usefulness and beauty cannot 
be excelled. The medicinal plants were richly represented, as were 
also the alimentary ones. A volume could be written upon the 
latter classes alone, and then give but little more than their indigen- 
ous names ; but it suffices to say that here they are, waiting to be util- 
ized. 

A serious error prevails as to the security of person and property 
in Central America. The history of even the worst governments here 
fails to produce even a sohtary case wherein a foreigner has suffered 
the slightest inconvenience by the severest turmoils, when he did not 
implicate himself in the politics of the countries. Immaterial who 
were the contesting parties, the property and person of the foreigner 
who devoted himself to his own affairs, and who did not force him- 
self into the political questions which agitated the country, were ever 
deemed sacred aiid inviolable. This may be deemed to hold good 
especially now in Honduras, which is too busy building roads, estab- 
lishing schools, constructing telegraph lines, to allow political ques- 



23 

tions to disturb it — fully bearing out the motto upon its banner: "Paz, 
Liber tad, Proteccion y Progreso." 

Hoping that this \evy rough sketch will be useful to you, although 
it does not even do the subject approximate justice, I am, sir, ' 

Yours very respectfully, 

FERD. C. VALENTINE, M.D., 

Surgeon-Genei'al, Army of the Republic of Honduras, C. A. 



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